Glen Helen U.S.GP to Fall Under FIM Rulebook
Cycle News Staff | April 29, 2010
The FIM have withdrawn their request to the MSMA (Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association) to hold the U.S. Grand Prix, the sixth round of fifteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship, under “double ruling” which would permit American-based entrants to use AMA specs with regards to noise and fueling.
The scheme was proposed prior to the Grand Prix of Netherlands last week and after widespread denouncement of the idea among the brands, the FIM decided against implementation of the polemic arrangement this week. The suggestion would have allowed native racers wanting to compete at Glen Helen on May 30th to adhere to AMA rules, which differ according to new FIM regulations that enforce a “Two Meter Max” test for noise (81db at 100m) and also adopt a different spec for fuel; both having repercussions on performance for the MX1 and MX2 classes.
“For credibility and seriousness of the sport this has been considered unacceptable by MSMA,” Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp commented. “To my personal opinion it is also not acceptable for reasons of fairness of the sport and its sporting results. In addition, after all the hard work manufacturers and teams have done to meet the more strict noise regulations, which have been applied one year in advance for MXGP racing upon FIM request, it would also be rather silly to go this route.”
“The FIM MX1/2 Motocross World Championship (as well as the FIM Veteran Motocross World Cup) in Glen Helen on 30 May 2010 will be run exclusively according to the 2010 FIM World Championship Regulations,” commented FIM CMS Dr Wolfgang Srb this afternoon. “Therefore only the FIM sound control as well as fuel according to FIM specifications will be accepted – just like in all the other rounds of the 2010 FIM World Championships and Cups.”
“‘Double Regulations’ will not be used for the FIM Motocross Grand Prix of the United States of America,” asserted Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo. “The FIM World Championship Regulations will be fully enforced. We are hoping that in the future the FIM and National Championships will have the same Technical Regulations so that it’s easier for everyone, especially the manufacturers and teams.”
“We are pleased that the FIM are keeping the rules for this Grand Prix,” offered Honda Motor Europe Off-road Racing Manager Roger Harvey. “We can appreciate the occasion but it is also round six of fifteen in the world championship with a set of regulations we have all worked to respect for 2010. I hope the race will be as good as we are all hoping now.”
The Grand Prix is already being labelled as the Race of the Century with the last visit of the FIM series at Glen Helen taking placing in 1990. Reaction in the world championship paddock to the replacement of the postponed British Grand Prix slot on May 30th has been one of excitement and anticipation with only the consternation of teams regarding the late development to budget sheets hanging over the event. Youthstream have already stated that Grand Prix squads have no obligation to travel, especially with another fly-away to Brazil slated for mid-August. The US Grand Prix is now eagerly awaited with this potential bone of contention for manufacturers now removed.
